By Dave Wagner: CNJ sports writer ALBUQUERQUE — A fluke play helped end Clovis High’s season on Wednesday in the Wildcats’ first trip to The Pit since playing for the Class 5A boys state title in 2001. A wild final minute — and a freak turnover when the Cats were trying to get a timeout […]

CNJ staff PORTALES — Junior guard Justin Redman-Trotter’s 3-pointer with nine seconds left — his only field goal of the night — forced overtime and Eastern New Mexico University’s men never trailed in the extra session in upending Tarleton State 77-74 on Saturday at Greyhound Arena in a Lone Star Conference South Division clash. The […]

By Eric Butler: CNJ correspondent ALBUQUERQUE — Clovis junior Miles Ware lopped almost two seconds off his qualifying time in 100-yard backstroke Friday in the preliminaries of the New Mexico state swimming and diving championships. It wasn’t quite good enough as three swimmers passed his mark in the final heat and knocked Ware out of […]

CNJ staff PORTALES — Eastern New Mexico University’s men took another hit in their bid for a Lone Star Conference postseason tournament berth Saturday night. Texas A&M-Kingsville, which beat the Greyhounds in the closing seconds last week on its home court, rallied from a 15-point deficit to notch a 78-76 South Division win Saturday night […]

CNJ staff KINGSVILLE, Texas — Center Stephen Story’s rebound basket with seven seconds left Saturday lifted Texas A&M-Kingsville past Eastern New Mexico University 85-84 in a Lone Star Conference South Division men’s game. Senior guard-forward Remi Yusuf, the South preseason player of the year, went 11-of-12 from the field and 7-of-8 from the line for […]

By Eric Butler: CNJ correspondent ALBUQUERQUE — Portales thought it played at the opponent’s preferred tempo in the semifinals of the Hope Christian tournament on Friday. Navajo Pine, meanwhile, thought it played at the Rams’ pace. Whatever was the truth, it was Navajo Pine that came away with a 48-44 victory over Portales to move […]

By Mona Charen: Syndicated columnist The other morning my family and I ogled a beautiful one-day-old infant girl featured on Fox News as the 300 millionth American. She was so cute we were prompted to dig out pictures of our own kids as babies. But, shhh, can you keep a secret? There is no actual […]

CNJ staff HEREFORD — Clovis High athletes scored in four finals on Friday on the first day of the Hereford Invitational track meet. The girls came away with 14 points, including a fourth-place finish in the 3,200 relay with Vanessa Croke, Nicole Russell, Nicole Johnson and Lula Hita running a time of 12 minutes, 19.25 […]

Ryan Fikany shoots a short-range shot in the first half of Thursday’s Region A semifinal at Logan. The Foxes defeated Grady 65-59. (Courtesy photo: Scot Stinnett) By Eric Butler: CNJ correspondent LOGAN — Sometimes it takes only a minute for a dream of reaching the state tournament to vanish. The Melrose Buffaloes held a lead […]

CNJ staff HOBBS — Senior Austin Turner scored 33 points and hit six counsecutive free throws in the final minute of overtime, lifting Hobbs past Clovis High 96-94 in the District 4-5A and regular-season finale for both teams Friday night. Despite the loss, the Wildcats (16-8, 3-1 district) were already assured of the regular-season title. […]

By Eric Butler: CNJ correspondent MELROSE — After a trip east to meet its nearest rival, Fort Sumner’s basketball teams found themselves in more solid positions as the regular season approaches its end. The Foxes stayed unbeaten in District 3-1A boys play by knocking off Melrose 66-49. The earlier girls contest saw the Vixens win […]

By Kevin Wilson: Freedom Newspapers DORA — In her first experience as a basketball coach, San Jon’s Kristi Cargile learned the game, like many other sports, can be one of inches. Danielle Lee led the visiting Lady Coyotes with 19 points, and San Jon held off a dominant performance from Dora senior Rana Terry for […]

Airshow attendees watch Saturday’s demonstrations and visit static displays around the flight line. Cannon was host to about 8,000 people who came out for the expo. Staff Sgt. Craig Seals Cannon Air Force Base sponsored the 2005 Air Expo to a crowd of about 8,000 on Saturday. The air show was kicked off with a […]

CNJ staff CASPER, Wyo. — Eastern New Mexico University senior Dusty Higgins won the second-go in bull riding competing with a score of 79 on Tuesday in the College National Finals rodeo to move into a tie for sixth place in the overall standings. Higgins’ third-go was scheduled for Tuesday night during the “performance” phase […]

Bill Warner of Minden, La., received a no time in the calf roping event during 35th Annual PRCA Rodeo Saturday at the Curry County Fairgrounds. (Staff photo: Eric Kluth) CNJ staff Katti Autrey made the hour-long drive worth it. The barrel racer from Fort Sumner finished her run in 16.76 seconds Saturday night to take […]

Clovis freshman Manuel Robles flies through the air during the long jump competition Friday during the Wildcat Relays at Leon Williams Stadium. (Staff photo: Eric Kluth) By John Eisel: CNJ sports writer Rio Rancho was fourth when Chris Williams took the baton in the final leg of the 1,600 relay. Disappearing into the shaded section […]

Freedom Newspapers DENTON, Texas —Bouncing back from a 47-point loss on Monday at rival West Texas A&M, the Eastern New Mexico University women’s basketball team gutted out a 62-57 Lone Star Conference South Division victory Thursday night over Texas Woman’s. Juniors Riikka Lehtonen and Tiana Bryant led a balanced Zias attack, each scoring 12 points. […]

Tia Doss goes up for a layup in the first half of Monday’s Lone Star Conference South Division game at Greyhound Arena. (Freedom Newspapers: Kevin Wilson) By Dave Wagner: Freedom Newspapers PORTALES — West Texas A&M came out with a rush Monday night. The Lady Buffaloes used aggressive pressure defense to dominate the first 10 […]